2008 Most Influential Women Honoree: Jami Peebles

Peebles, who is a graduate of The National Trust Graduate School at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., moved to the Ozarks to work as an investment specialist for Great Southern in 1986. She remains enthusiastic about her adopted hometown.

“It is a great place to live. It’s beautiful, and the people are friendly,” says Peebles, vice president of the wealth management department at U.S. Bank. “There’s been great opportunities careewise and volunteer-wise.”

Peebles is a Certified Trust and Financial Adviser, and she takes courses annually in estate planning, investments, financial planning, ethics and tax to maintain the certification.

She has worked at Land Financial Group Inc. and Springfield Trust Co./Springfield Trustshares Inc. She worked as a financial consultant before taking her current job, which covers Springfield, Joplin and Lebanon.

Peebles works with high net-worth clients and enjoys developing long-term relationships.

“I almost become part of their family. It’s a very personal and rewarding career,” she says.

Peebles gets just as enthusiastic about volunteering, especially for the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter. She began her involvement with that group during a career break, working every day for three weeks helping 2,000 families that had relocated to the Ozarks after Hurricane Katrina.

Part of her passion for the Red Cross stems from its mission to immediately aid people left helpless after disasters.

“I just love what they do (to) help people across all income lines (and) race lines,” she says.

Peebles has volunteered for the Red Cross following ice storms and tornadoes, including the deadly storm that ripped through southwest Missouri in May.

Part of her attraction to U.S Bank was its willingness to support her volunteer work.

“I took off time to work the tornadoes in Newtonia, and my bank was great and my co-workers were great. That was so important to me. I didn’t want to give it up,” she says.

Taking a break from work and getting involved with volunteering has made Peebles more balanced. She admits that her career used to be all-important, leaving room for little else. “There was a time in life when I was so career-oriented I didn’t do anything else. … I am so much happier now. I’m having so much fun,” she says.

Peebles’ efforts have been noticed. She was recently awarded U.S. Bank’s 5 Star Volunteer Award, given to 110 of the company’s 56,000 employees.

Name an influential woman, living or dead, you’d like to meet. Why?

Clara Barton. She was instrumental in the expansion and success of The American Red Cross, expanding the concept to include help in the event of national disasters. She was a hands-on leader … a visionary, a philanthropist and dedicated her life to others in time of war and disaster.

What advice do you have for young women just getting started professionally?

Always strive to exceed expectations, whether they are the expectations of your employer, your client, your co-workers or your friends.

As a young girl, what were your career aspirations?

According to my mother, (I wanted to be) “the center of attention.”

What celebrity have others compared you to, or do you identify with?

My co-workers compare me to Reba McEntire – the Oklahoma accent never leaves you. My stepsons compare me to Cruella Deville. I dressed up like her for Halloween when they were very young. It scared them so bad, they still remember it!

Please tell us about your family.

I am married to Tom Peebles, an estate-planning attorney. I am also fortunate enough to be stepmom to three great kids: Ashley, Andy and Alex. Birdie, our King Charles Cavalier, rules the house.

Web Exclusive: What are three of Jami’s favorite spare-time pursuits?

Answer: Knitting, fly-fishing and golfing